Manufacturers tell all about BIM

The NBS has, for seven years, chartered the rise of BIM amongst the UK design community. In November, the organisation launched its first report into the views of construction product manufacturers.

With the support of the Construction Products Association (CPA), the report is now freely available for manufacturers to understand from its own community, what impact BIM is having on the industry.

“What’s great to see is the shared attitude between designers and manufacturers that BIM is the future,” said NBS CEO Richard Waterhouse.

“Collaboration is at the heart of BIM, and through the standardised information held in well-structured models, manufacturers and designers will be able to work increasingly closely together, making sure the right product is selected, installed and used through the life of a project.”

BIM information will be increasingly required by specifiers

Many UK manufacturers are already taking steps to provide product information in a format that can be placed into the designers’ own model, and manufacturers agree that BIM information will be increasingly required by specifiers.

However, work to support this community is still needed as only a minority – 21 percent – believe they are confident when it comes to BIM knowledge and skills.

And for those who are progressing well, the community is relying on collaboration from those outside their own organisations to help overcome barriers to BIM.

Peter Caplehorn, CPA Deputy Chief Executive and Policy Director, said: “Whilst still far from the norm, there is no doubt the UK construction industry is on the cusp of a technological advancement.

“Currently we are in a situation where the supply chain is not as well coordinated as it could be, but through digitalisation our industry will find more efficient, cost-effective and smarter ways to do things. It is not surprising the majority of construction product manufacturers are already taking steps to adopt the use of BIM, but what is needed now is to ensure that they feel confident to do so. Surveys like this are useful in highlighting the gaps where industry must work together to encourage adoption, particularly with issues around standardisation and Product Data Templates.”

Lack of rigorous reinforcement responsible for BIM mandate not being successful

Manufacturers believe that BIM will deliver real benefits, including reducing costs and creating time efficiencies through the design, build and maintenance lifecycle. These benefits are in line with the government’s construction strategy goals; yet 64 percent don’t believe that the government is enforcing BIM.

Over half of those who responded believe that the BIM mandate set for April 2016 has not been successful due to a lack of rigorous enforcement. However, just under half of respondents still believe that the government is ‘on the right track.’